Arsenal secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the latest north London derby, marking their fifth straight win in the fixture. Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze each scored a brace, restoring Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League while pushing Spurs deeper into relegation danger.
Gyokeres Steps Up with Dominant Display
Doubts have lingered over Viktor Gyokeres’ overall contributions despite his eight Premier League goals prior to this match. Concerns focused on his tendency to fade during games and limited involvement beyond scoring. Arsenal’s attack often leans heavily on Bukayo Saka, making a fully engaged No. 9 striker essential.
Gyokeres wasted no time against Tottenham, firing a shot just wide early on. After a quiet spell, he exploded in the second half. His first goal showcased raw power, rocketing past Guglielmo Vicario from the edge of the box. The second demonstrated striker instincts, as he muscled past Archie Gray before curling home.
This performance highlighted a rare dominance from the Swede. Teammates have sometimes hesitated to find him due to past wasteful play, but Sunday’s evidence suggests they should prioritize him moving forward. With Kai Havertz sidelined by injury and Gabriel Jesus on the fringes, Arsenal needs Gyokeres firing on all cylinders.
Mikel Arteta kept Gyokeres on the pitch throughout, breaking from his pattern of early substitutions in nine of the striker’s prior 10 league starts. Arteta praised the display: “I think so. I think his overall play was incredible, the efficiency, the goals that he scored. He was really, really good today.”
Eze’s Resurgence Challenges Odegaard
Eberechi Eze’s brace delivered a stark message to Martin Odegaard, who watched from the bench after recovering from a muscle injury. The Arsenal captain has struggled to replicate his 20-goal-and-assist haul from the 2023-24 season, lacking incisive passes and runs in the final third.
Eze entered this game under pressure after a dismal half-time withdrawal in the recent 1-1 draw with Brentford. These goals marked his first in the league since a hat-trick against Spurs in November—against a team that once pursued him. Now with five goals in two games versus Tottenham this season, Eze aims to build momentum.
Arteta noted Eze’s hunger: “I could see that he wanted to prove something. He was upset, even with me, because I didn’t play him the other day from the beginning, and some of the decisions that I made. And I just have to understand how we’re going to get the best out of him now.” Signed for £67.5 million seeking regular minutes and silverware, Eze’s bench frustration is clear. Odegaard faces a battle to reclaim his spot.
Defensive Lapses Remain a Concern
Arsenal conceded just two minutes after Eze’s opener, courtesy of a Declan Rice error allowing Randal Kolo Muani to score. This fits a broader trend: only Crystal Palace and West Ham have dropped more points from winning positions in 2026 than Arsenal’s seven.
While the Gunners dominated to a comfortable scoreline here, avoidable goals have become habitual. Once eyeing Chelsea’s clean-sheet record, Arsenal must address this vulnerability to sustain their title push.
